Cartonboard Market Outlook 2030
This report (Spring 2025) is now available and a Table of Contents can be found here. The report is being offered with a FREE 12-month subscription to the Cartonboard Monitor
A comprehensive 5-year outlook through to 2030 covering:
- Market Analysis: Demand, trade, output, mill capacity and operating rates for the Cartonboard market
- Worldwide Regions: Geographically, it covers major regions including North America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East & Africa, providing insights into regional trends and growth potential.
- Historical Data: Country-specific data for 2024, including demand, trade, output, capacity and operating rates. Historical trend charts spanning 25 years for Cartonboard.
- Production Capacity: Rankings of leading manufacturers based on production capacity.
- Global Directory: Listings of the latest machines and mills across the globe.
- Industry Trends: Insights into demand drivers, challenges and opportunities shaping the industry including consumer preferences for sustainable packaging, technological advancements and regulatory influences to understand the factors shaping the industry’s landscape.
- Market Segments: Clear segmentation of the cartonboard market by product type and geography, allowing stakeholders to identify specific opportunities and areas for investment.
- Industry Data & Insights: Including a wealth of industry-related data
- Cartonboard Market Trends 2025: The past year was characterised by fluctuating demand and significant global economic instability that influenced global supply chains. While the market moved past the destocking phases of previous years, growth remained modest. Key trends included the accelerated substitution of single-use plastics and a continued focus on reducing packaging weight to optimise transport efficiency to meet changing consumer preferences in the e-commerce sector.
- Cartonboard Market Outlook 2026: Moving into 2026, we forecast the sector will stabilise, returning to more “normal” rates of growth. A critical factor for the year ahead is the impact of regulatory frameworks, specifically the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which will influence material sourcing and compliance costs. Our analysis also covers how mill capacity adjustments in Western markets are rebalancing supply against demand.
- Cartonboard Market Forecast 2027 – 2030: Long-term projections indicate a resilient trajectory for regenerative materials and fibre-based packaging. The report highlights specific growth areas across the sector, particularly as new capacity in Asia reshapes global trade dynamics. Stakeholders can also utilise our 25-year historical trend charts to view the long-term context of these changing industry trends.
Our report offers valuable insights for stakeholders, including manufacturers, investors and policymakers. By understanding the current market dynamics and future trends, stakeholders can make informed decisions to capitalise on opportunities within the cartonboard sector (a separate report is available for the containerboard market). This report serves as an essential resource for navigating the complexities of this vital industry by helping your team anticipate and adapt their strategies accordingly. Download the report below:
About EMGE Paper Consultants
EMGE has been reporting cartonboard and containerboard market trends for the past 10 years and paper trends for over 30 years, employing a team of industry experts who have worked in the paper and packaging industry collectively for over 150 years. It has earned them an enviable reputation for providing accurate historical and forecast statistical data, backed up by thoroughly researched market trend analysis.
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